long ago, it seems so long ago

Colibri Haki · 09-19-2012, 09:24 PM

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18 Sept, late afternoon. omg longest intro ever, i'm sorryyyyyy. i just got so excited!
WC: 1041

Coli padded along the path through Jordheim village, on all fours as she had been since the birth of her litter. She was still dizzy and weak -- anemic, that was the word Saul used -- and there was a curious ache in her stiff muscles which would make it difficult to complete the trip back and forth. She had nearly died during the childbirth, a chilling reality. But thanks to the support of her Vináttan family, she had survived to meet her daughters. The last several days had been spent in a deep sleep, Coli barely stirring only to check on her pups. She still had not named them, too tired to focus on anything other than nursing them. During her pregnancy, she wanted to name them after bygone family members she loved, such as Conor and Cercelee and Mew -- but the names didn't seem to fit, especially since she did not have a single son. All three girls seemed healthy and strong, though, a surprise compared to how feeble their mother had been left.

Now she could sense that her sister's pups would be born soon, very soon, and she needed to leave their home to give them room. She wanted so badly to be with Lilin when the time came, but she knew her sister was much braver than she was and would be perfectly all right without her. It was selfish to stay in the young couple's way any longer.

They were ready to be moved today, her daughters to be carried one by one in her jaws to the small home that would be their den. She slipped out the door of the Virdings' home, surprised by the crispness in the air. Fall was almost here already, and she needed to protect her flowers from the oncoming frost... but she had more pressing matters at hand how. Being away from them even for this short time made her anxious and unhappy, her budding instincts urging her to stay with them to keep them safe. But they were safe with their aunt and uncle, slumbering peacefully in the spare bedroom. They hadn't even noticed her departure.

The small brown wolf moved quickly through the hillocks, skirting around the houses she knew to be occupied. Her home was at the farthest reaches of Jordheim, a privacy she would appreciate more than ever now as most of her packmates had no idea she had been pregnant at all. She had preserved her shameful secret as best she could, keeping to herself and wearing a cloak when she went out. It was a lonely vigil, but Lilin kept her sane, the two sisters growing close and spending much time together. Coli hoped their litters would get along the same way, playmates and extended family. She nosed the door to her small house open with difficulty -- it was always getting stuck -- and arranged the pile of furs on the straw pallet into a makeshift nest, pawing at them until the new mother was satisfied. There was nothing else she needed to prepare, the windowless house had no furniture and precious few possessions.

Then she slipped outside, stumbling unsteadily as she paused to catch her breath. She was so groggy, her head was spinning... She sank to the ground, resting her chin on her paws as she waited for the spell of weakness to pass her by. This excursion was the most she'd moved in days. She stared wordlessly at the flowers she had planted in the hill that surrounded her house, her tired gaze resting on one of her sentimental favorites, the blue flag iris. She thought it was too late in the season for it to bloom, but it had one stubborn blossom clinging to life anyway, the sprawling petals a rich indigo hue. She had carried that plant from the former Crimson Dreams territories in the spring, one of the last living links she had to her old pack. What had made it bloom now? The frost would kill it. The sight of the iris invoked a sad stirring in her chest, and she looked away, studying the grass instead as she rested.

Wearily, Coli rose to her paws, padding along the path into the heart of the village. The sooner she brought her daughters home, the sooner she could sleep curled around them. She was distracted by simplistic maternal thoughts until she caught the faintest scent in the air, a perfume that she could barely remember under all the seasons that had passed since she knew it... but stopped her dead in her tracks.

Her bobtail tucked low against her haunches, blue eyes wide in shock. No. She raised her muzzle to the air, sniffing frantically. No, it couldn't be. She would have known. Someone would have told her... wouldn't they? Had she ever told Saul the name? She couldn't remember if she had or not, or if he would have told her anyway. He was one of the only confidants who told her not to give up or move on. If there had been a howl at the borders, wouldn't she have heard and recognized that voice? Or had she been resting...? That scent was the only thing that could wrench her away from her pups, and without thinking, she immediately began to follow it.

The trail was faint, as though several days had passed, and there were other scents mingled with it, confusing it. Still, it was unmistakable to her, she could never truly forget it. A distressed whine was emanating from her throat, her heart thudding painfully in her chest. She was led to a corner of the village, quiet earthen houses facing each other. Coli was trembling, standing in the clearing at the center of the houses with a stricken look in her eyes.

After all this time, she had given up. She was beyond repair, and had accepted that her one true love would be better off without her. But... how was she supposed to stay away now? Was this real, or had her mind finally snapped from the burden of single motherhood? Coli remained frozen in place, unable to call attention to herself, unable to tear herself away.

Table by Alli!

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